The Chinese Embassy in Manila thanked the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) for rescuing seven Chinese fishermen found drifting off Eastern Samar after their boat sustained hull damage.
Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian said the PCG informed him directly that the seven fishermen were in good physical condition.
“Our sincere gratitude and deep appreciation to Commandant Abu (Coast Guard Admiral Artemio Manalo Abu) and PCG for their immediate response and humanitarian efforts to help the Chinese fishing vessel and seven fishermen on board,” Huang said in a statement.
The envoy said the incident showed the “concrete implementation” of the
consensus reached by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and his Chinese counterpart President Xi Jinping to strengthen communication and improve dialogue mechanisms between the two Coast Guards, as well as to manage maritime differences through consultation while expanding
practical cooperation on the sea.
The fishing boat was found with a damaged hull in the waters off Suluan Island, Guiuan, Eastern Samar on Jan. 27. It was towed to Tacloban Port.
The PCG said Saturday it conducted the boarding procedure and documentary verification on board the FV Kai Da 899 at the Tacloban port at about 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 27.
The rescued crew was also provided with the necessary assistance and medical care.
The agency was joined by the bureaus of quarantine, immigration, and customs
